Drug dealing blitz in Garstang snares 16

A THREE-month long operation targeting drug dealing in and around Garstang has led to 16 people being arrested and three charged in connection with drug offences.

Operation Nullify, led by the local neighbourhood police team, saw a number of drugs raids and stop checks on vehicles carried out across the town.

Lancashire Constabulary said the activity included:

May 4 - Suspected cocaine was found in a vehicle stopped on the A6, Bilsborrow. A 24-year-old male from Catterall and a 24-year-old male from Longridge were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A controlled drugs and have been released on bail pending further investigations. Wayne Perks, 31, from Dorchester Road, Garstang, was charged with theft and will appear at Lancaster Magistrates court on August 24.

June 4 and July 28 - Two raids were carried out on a flat on Croston Road, Garstang and police seized a quantity of suspected mephedrone (bubble) and cannabis. A 19-year-old woman from Catterall was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class B controlled drugs and is currently on police bail while further investigations are carried out. A 23-year-old male was issued with a warning for possession of cannabis. Matthew Brown, 21, from Norton Road, Cabus was charged with possessing a class B controlled drug (cannabis), has appeared in court and been issued with a fine.

June 27 - A drugs warrant was executed at a property in Moss Lane, Garstang, and five ounces of cannabis bush were recovered. Two arrests were made: a 44-year-old woman was later released without charge, while Kevin Thornton,28, from Moss Lane, Garstang was charged with possession of cannabis with intent to supply and is scheduled to appear at Lancaster Magistrates court on September 30.

June 29 - A raid at a property in Hazelhurst Drive, Garstang, resulted in 23 wraps of cannabis bush being seized by officers. A 20-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of possessing controlled drugs with intent to supply and is on police bail pending further enquiries.

July 1 - A stop check was carried out on a vehicle on the High Street, Garstang. A small quantity of cannabis bush was recovered and a 20-year-old male from Preston was issued with a cannabis warning.

July 14 - Cannabis was also seized from a property in Fleetwood following a raid in Robertson Court. A 51-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of possessing controlled drugs with intent to supply cannabis to the Garstang area, and is currently on police bail awaiting results of further investigation.

July 20 - Cannabis plants with a street value of £150, along with a quantity of amphetamine, knuckle dusters and cash were seized from a property in Croston Road, Garstang. A 37-year-old male from Garstang has been interviewed in connection with possessing controlled drugs, with intent to supply the same, and is currently on police bail pending the results of further investigation.

August 4 - Raids were carried out at properties in Willow Close, Forton, and six ounces of cannabis, worth an estimated £600, were seized. A 23-year-old and a 29-year-old male were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B cannabis and are currently on police bail while further investigations are carried out.

August 12 - A stop check was carried out on a vehicle on the A6, Bilsborrow, and a bag of discarded cocaine was found in the hedgerow. A 26-year-old male from Garstang and a 27-year-old male Barnacre were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A controlled drugs and are on police bail pending further enquiries.

Sergeant Danielle Freaney, neighbourhood police sergeant for Garstang and Over Wyre, said: “The use of illegal drugs causes problems throughout the local community. Operations targeting the illicit supply of drugs will continue and I would like to take this opportunity to thank any members of the public who have assisted us.

“It is clear that the local community are not willing to tolerate drugs in their area and we will continue to do our utmost to deter drug dealing in our neighbourhoods.”

Anybody with any information is encouraged to contact their local neighbourhood policing team on 01995 607834 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If a crime is ion the process of taking place always dial 999.